Thumper Equine Pro User manual

Thumper and Massager with Muscle are registered trademarks of Thumper Massager Inc.
Printed in Canada
version 1.7
Printed on
Recycled Paper
TM
THUMPER MASSAGER INC.
1241 Denison St., Unit 40
Markham, Ontario L3R 4B4
CA ADA
USA & CA ADA: 1-800-THUMPER (848-6737)
I TER ATIO AL: 905-477-5222
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Website: www.thumpermassager.com
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Contents
2Introduction
3Safety
5Thumper Components
7Understanding Thumper
12 Product Features
14 For Professionals
15 Beneficial Effects of Massage
17 Self Treatment
18 Treatment of Others
23 Trouble Shooting
24 Equine Professional Thumper
25 Professional Massagers...
for Your Performance Horse
26 Key Massaging Areas
27 Benefits of Thumper Horse Massager
28 Tips for Use
29 Warranty
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Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of what we believe
to be the most up to date adjunct to professional hand
massage. Thumper represents a combination of modern
engineering and materials with ancient principles of
health and massage.
It is not our intention in this manual to furnish a complete
outline on massage or list indications for Thumper use,
but to give you the basics, as we know them, and allow
you to develop your own approach and technique of
Thumper massage.
We fully support our products in the field and would
be pleased to provide additional technical assistance
beyond the scope of this manual if requested.
Thank you for choosing Thumper.
Keep well,
Thumper Massager Inc.
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Im ortant Safety Instructions
When using an electrical appliance like Thumper, basic
precautions should always be followed, including the following:
Read all instructions before using Thumper.
To reduce the risk of electric shock:
Always unplug Thumper from the electrical outlet immediately
after using and before cleaning.
Do not use while bathing or in a shower.
Do not move or store Thumper where it can fall or be pulled into
a tub or sink. Do not place in or drop into water or other liquid.
Do not reach for an appliance that has fallen into water. Unplug
immediately.
To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock or injury to
persons:
Thumper should never be left unattended when plugged in.
Unplug Thumper from outlet when not in use and before
cleaning.
Never operate Thumper if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it
is not working properly, if it has been dropped, damaged, or
immersed in water. Contact the factory for examination and
repair.
Do not operate under a blanket or pillow, or any place where
ventilation may be insufficient.
Close supervision is necessary when used on, by or near
children, invalids, or disabled persons.
Dang r
Warning 3
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Im ortant Safety Instructions
Use Thumper only for its intended use as described in this
manual. Do not use attachments not recommended by
the manufacturer.
Do not carry Thumper by the cord or pull the cord sharply.
Never drop or insert any object into any openings.
To disconnect, turn off switch and remove plug from outlet.
Connect Thumper to a properly grounded outlet only.
Never operate Thumper with the ventilation openings blocked.
Keep the ventilation openings free of lint, hair, and the like.
Never operate on a soft bed or soft couch where air openings
may be blocked.
Keep the cord away from heated surfaces.
Do not use outdoors.
Do not operate where aerosol products are being used or
where oxygen is being administered.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
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Thum er Com onents
rotary speed dial
ventilation holes
Sid Vi w
Back Vi w
1-apply the large massage spheres
on the area to be massaged, ignore
the small spheres as they are for
gliding only.
on/off switch
power cord
impact adjuster
small
massage
spheres
on/off switch
large
massage
spheres 1
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Thum er Com onents
Bottom Vi w
Top Vi w
on/off switch
power cord
impact adjuster
(4 settings)
Rotary speed dial
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Thumper is the only massager that works with
percussive, rather than orbital action. Ordinary
massagers exert their force in a horizontal direction (like
an electric sander) and do nothing more than ‘rub’ your
skin. Thumper directs the action of its anatomically
positioned massage spheres vertically - downwards
into your muscles. Eight massaging spheres pivot up
and down a full 1/4 inch. Its action penetrates deep
down into all muscle layers. You feel Thumper massage
throughout your body, not just on the skin surface.
Thumperʼs unique action — a steady, comfortable,
pulsed acupressure — delivers a more thorough and
effective massage. Its vibration frequency penetrates
even large body parts without having to ʻdi deeperʼ as
one does with hand massage. Thumper is easier on
both the patient and the operator. Self-balancing, its
own 7 lb. weight supplies all the needed force. Adding
weight by pressing is less penetrating, in fact, not more.
Do not stroke Thumper. Instead, "PARK" it at least 10-
15 seconds before moving to another area and repeat.
(stroking is optional for back of legs.....see page 21)
Understanding Thum er
percussive orbital
How Thump r
Works
What Thump r
Do s
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Understanding Thum er
Thumper has 2 different controls for adjusting the strength
of the massage. (1) Variable Speed Dial (2) Impact
Adjuster Dial.
As occurs with any massage, you may sometimes find the
reaction "It didnʼt hurt until you started to work on it," as
though the tension was created by the massage itself.
The same principle applies to a massage with Thumper.
Thumper is designed for massage of soft tissue (muscle)
not hard tissue (bone) using direct drive percussive stroke
that travels downward into your muscles. These
pulsations can be seen as a double image (1/4" in size) on
the large massage spheres.
The muscle Thumper massages should be at least 1/4"
thick or Thumper may feel too stron , bounce or shake.
You can see this by placing Thumper on a floor, where
the hard surface, instead of absorbing the vibration wave,
reflects it back to Thumper, producing a most
inharmonious rhythm. The solution is to stay away
from bony projections (knees, elbows, tip of shoulder, hip
projections, spine of shoulder blade, head or neck, etc.).
The strongest settings should be used on larger muscles.
On children, elderly, very thin people or over a thin
muscle, massaging with the lowest speed and impact
settings or massaging through a folded towel will make the
massage more comfortable.
ãTurn Thumper off before changing the Impact
Adjuster Dial.
Pow r S ttings
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Understanding Thum er
No attachments are needed with Thumper. Its massage
spheres are positioned to let you treat all areas effectively.
For large area massage, Thumperʼs four large massage
spheres are designed to massage both legs, calves or feet
simultaneously. Small areas can be reached by tilting
Thumper, using only one of the spheres.
(beginning on page 17, you will fin iagrams showing
you how to use Thumper for specific bo y areas)
Thumper contains a built-in safety buffering mechanism
which prevents you from hurting yourself or others, even
if you inadvertently apply extra pressure. If that should
occur, the added pressure is absorbed and Thumper
actually vibrates less. Thus, you cannot receive more
force than the highest setting.
Thumper should not be used over:
ãSwollen or inflamed area or skin eruptions (bruises,
cuts, fractures, etc.)
ãTesticles, ovaries, breast tissue, eyes, ears, head,
neck or kidneys
ãDirectly on bone
ãVaricose veins
ãDo not use on unexplained calf pain.
Consult your local physician for further advice.
(Stroking the legs is escribe as an option on page 21.
If stroking the legs, ALWAYS stroke towar the heart an
only after massaging the legs in stages.)
Massage should be pleasant and comfortable. If you feel
pain or discomfort, discontinue use immediately and
consult your physician.
No
Attachm nts
Saf ty
IIMMPPOORRTTAANNTT
Wh n Not To
Us Thump r
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Understanding Thum er
Massage should be pleasant and comfortable and
especially so with Thumper. You should be aware, however,
of the following possible reactions and their cause:
•ITCHING Because Thumper does not "rub" the skin,
itching usually does not occur. It may appear, however
under the following conditions:
a) if one has poor circulation
b) if irritable material or clothing is used between
Thumper and the skin (eg: synthetic materials)
c) if left in one spot too long (over 60 seconds) and is
due to increased circulation
d) if the relative humidity of the atmosphere is quite
low, during the dry winter months, for instance.
This causes hyperirritability of the skin to all forms
of stimulation.
•TICKLING In the legs, tickling is a normal reaction
to stored muscle tension. Laughter helps release the
tension and should be encouraged. Tickling will subside
after approximately 5-10 seconds with Thumper "PARKED,"
while stroking will accentuate the tickling. The feet will not
tickle if Thumper is used in self treatment, but may tickle
when an operator places it on a patientʼs feet. The reason is
that you cannot tickle yourself (try it sometime).
How Thump r
F ls
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Understanding Thum er
•NUMBNESS Occasionally patients will comment that
the area being massaged with Thumper feels "numb."
This sensation is created by rapid stimulation of nerve
endings in the skin. It can assist with pain control in
longstanding muscle tension and otherwise has no
significance.
•CONTRACTION When intense tension is present, a
strong contraction may occur in the muscle being
massaged. This is called a tonic vibratory reflex or
TVR and happens most frequently in the legs. It is of
short duration (10-15 seconds) and can vary in intensity.
The more tension stored, the stronger the contraction, if it
occurs.
How Thump r
F ls (co t’d)
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Product Features
Thumper operates with ordinary 120 volt household
current. (230/240 Volt model available — contact
Thumper Massager Inc. for availability.)
If the external surfaces become soiled, wipe clean with a
cloth dampened with a mild cleanser. Do not use
thinner, benzene, or any other solvents. Thumper is
maintenance free, constructed with permanently
lubricated sealed ball bearings. No additional lubrication
is necessary. Thumper has no user serviceable parts
inside.
With extended use it is normal for the housing to get
warm. If temperatures exceed normal limits (such as
when ventilation holes are blocked), a thermal breaker
will shut off the power, resetting itself when cooled. It is
recommended Thumper be used 20 minutes on / 20
minutes off to allow the unit to cool down, preventing
overheating and shut off.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, Thumper has a
polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This
plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug
does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still
does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install a
proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way.
weight: 7 lbs (3.2 kg)
dimensions: 10"L x 5.5"W x 7.5"H (20 cm x 25 cm x 19 cm)
volts: 120 V North America; 230 V Europe
amps: 0.7 A North America; 0.4 A Europe
frequency: 60 Hz North America; 50 Hz Europe
speed impact: 1200 rpm to 2100 rpm
(20 to 35 pulses per second)
from low to high
Pow r Supply
Maint nanc
Op ration
Sp cifications
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Product Features
Thumper should not be stored for extended periods
of time on its massage spheres as they may flatten
over time. Tip Thumper over onto its side with cord up.
Thumperʼs cord may be coiled and stored in the handle
as shown on page 4.
In a double-insulated product, two systems of
insulation are provided instead of grounding. No
grounding means is provided on a double-insulated
product, nor should a means for grounding be added
to the product. Servicing a double-insulated product
requires extreme care and knowledge of the system,
and should be done only by a qualified service
personnel. Replacement parts for double-insulated
product must be identical to the parts they replace.
A double-insulated product is marked with the words
"DOUBLE INSULATION"
or "DOUBLE INSULATED."
The symbol (square within a square)
may also be marked on the product.
Storag
S rvicing of
Doubl -Insulat d
Products
13
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We recommend Thumper use before digital massage,
particularly in larger muscles, making hand massage
easier. Length of Thumper use should be approximately
1/4 to 1/2 the total session time.
Again, we recommend using Thumper first, before any
digital massage or manipulation. Thumper is fast and
recommended usage is 3 to 6 minutes depending on the
area(s) being massaged. Insurance billing is described
as deep tissue percussive massage.
Extended use before athletic exertion is not
recommended. Instead we recommend a complete and
thorough massage only after athletic endeavors.
Massag
Th rapists
Chiropractors
Sports Massag
Body Toning
Sports Train rs
For Professionals
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Beneficial Effects of Massage
ãMassage dilates the blood vessels, improving
the circulation and relieving congestion
throughout the body.
ãMassage increases the number of red blood
cells especially in cases of anemia.
ãMassage acts as a "mechanical cleanser"
stimulating lymph circulation and hastening the
elimination of wastes and toxic debris.
ãMassage increases blood supply and nutrition
to muscles without adding to their load of toxic
lactic acid, produced through voluntary muscle
contraction. Massage thus helps to prevent
buildup of harmful "fatigue" products resulting
from strenuous exercise or injury.
ãMassage improves muscle tone and helps
prevent or delay muscular atrophy resulting
from forced inactivity.
ãMassage can compensate, in part, for lack of
exercise and muscular contraction in persons
who because of injury, illness or age are forced
to remain inactive. In these cases, massage
helps return venous blood to the heart and so
eases the strain on this vital organ.
ãMassage may have a sedative, stimulating or
even exhausting effect on the nervous system
depending on the type and length of massage
treatment given.
(a excerpt from "Survival
into the 21st Century," by
Viktoras Kulvi skas, 21st
Ce tury Publicatio s, P.O.
Box 64, Woodstock Valley,
CT 06282)
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Beneficial Effects of Massage
ãAccording to some authorities, massage may burst
the fat capsule in subcutaneous tissue so that the
fat exudes and becomes absorbed. In this way,
massage, combined with a nutritious but
calorie-deficient diet, can be an aid to reducing.
ãMassage by improving the general circulation,
increases nutrition of the tissues. It is accompanied
or followed by an increased interchange of
substances between the blood and tissue cells
heightening tissue metabolism.
ãMassage increases the excretion (via the kidneys) of
fluids and waste products of protein metabolism,
inorganic phosphorus and salt in normal individuals.
ãMassage encourages the retention of nitrogen,
phosphorus and sulphur necessary for tissue repair
in persons convalescing from bone fractures.
ãMassage stretches connective tissue, improves its
circulation and nutrition and so breaks down or
prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces
the danger of fibrosis.
ãMassage improves the circulation and nutrition of
joints and hastens the elimination of harmful
deposits. It helps lessen inflammation and swelling
in joints and so alleviates pain.
ãMassage helps to reduce edema (or dropsy) of the
extremities.
ãMassage disperses the edema following injury to
ligaments and tendons, lessens pain and facilitates
movement.
ãMassage makes you feel good!
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Self Treatment
• lowest power setting
• on be or couch
sitting
• high power setting
• rest Thumper on fol e
towel or small cushion
lying
• high power setting
• on be or couch
• on bare skin Thumper
is less likely to fall
• breathing eeply
sitting
lying
Should rs
F t
Low Back
L gs
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Treatment of Others
Should rs
Should r
Blad s &
Upp r Arms
• tip Thumper hea war
applying most of the
weight on the two large
massage spheres
closest to the hea
• leave stationary or
move slowly in a small
figure "8"
• for arms, position the
arm in between the
large massage spheres
as Thumper has a
"wra ing effect"
• lower power setting on
smaller people
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